Advertised as Southern Utah’s largest Day of the Dead celebration on Saturday, celebrations in Cedar City wrapped up with a free event at the Southern Utah Museum of Art. 

Photo/Andrea Wright
Photo/Andrea Wright
Photo/Andrea Wright

Celebrations started two weeks ago with the opening of the ofrenda in the museum’s vestibule. 

Photo/Andrea Wright
Photo/Andrea Wright
Photo/Andrea Wright
Photo/Andrea Wright
Photo/Andrea Wright
Photo/Andrea Wright

You might be wondering what the Day of the Dead is. According to Britannica.com, “Dia de los Muertos is celebrated across Mexico with skulls, skeletons, and graveside visits. Dia de los Muertos is also celebrated in other areas of Latin America and the United States.”   

Photo/Salvador Altamirano on Unsplash.com
Photo/Salvador Altamirano on Unsplash.com
Photo/Salvador Altamirano on Unsplash.com

The rituals of the Day of the Dead were at one time part of the pre-Hispanic peoples of Mexico. Once the Spanish arrived in Mexico, the holiday was moved to coincide with All Saint’s Day and All Soul’s Day. 

Photo/Pieter Van De Sande on Unsplash.com
Photo/Pieter Van De Sande on Unsplash.com
Photo/Pieter Van De Sande on Unsplash.com

Some rituals of the Day of the Dead include wearing masks, adorning gravesites, eating food, and making ofrendas. 

Mexicans Celebrate The Day Of The Dead
Getty Images
Mexicans Celebrate The Day Of The Dead
Mexicans Celebrate The Day Of The Dead
Getty Images
Mexicans Celebrate The Day Of The Dead

Saturday’s celebration included music from Mariachi Fuego 

Photo/Andrea Wright
Photo/Andrea Wright
Photo/Andrea Wright
Photo/Andrea Wright
Photo/Andrea Wright
Photo/Andrea Wright

Dancing from Ballet Folkorico Herencia Hispana.

Photo/Andrea Wright
Photo/Andrea Wright
Photo/Andrea Wright
Photo/Andrea Wright
Photo/Andrea Wright
Photo/Andrea Wright
Photo/Andrea Wright
Photo/Andrea Wright
Photo/Andrea Wright

As well as storytelling, art activities, pan de muerto, ofrendas, taco trucks, and face painting. 

Photo/Andrea Wright
Photo/Andrea Wright
Photo/Andrea Wright
Photo/Andrea Wright
Photo/Andrea Wright
Photo/Andrea Wright
Photo/Andrea Wright
Photo/Andrea Wright
Photo/Andrea Wright

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